Thousand flee flames in Southern California

Southern Calif. --- (NBC News) Wildfires burning across Southern California have forced tens of thousands from their homes.The battle to beat back the flames continues in Southern California.

Several wildfires are burning in San Diego County, where 9,000 acres have been charred and several homes destroyed.

Despite the hot, dry, windy conditions ripe for wildfires, police say they are not ruling out any possible causes.

"We'll do thorough investigations into each and every fire to try and find out its origin," Sheriff Bill Gore told reporters Thursday.

Fire officials are using every resource available to set fire lines, both in the air and on the ground, and it's working.

Overnight crews were able to gain some ground in some of the fires.

Still the worst may not be over.

"We still have a lot of work to do here," warns Cal Fire Chief Nick Schuler. "Ddays of work ahead of us, not only on this fire and the fires that occurred in the past several days, but the potential new fires that could start in the next several days to come."

Some residents chose to stay and fight the flames themselves.

"Just trying to prepare, perhaps embers might carry over into God knows what, but definitely trying to prevent a nightmare," Christopher Negrite said as he sprayed water on the roof of his home.